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;§!NE;SE0) f NHW-YOBK, 



1848--18G8. 



AN HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



V 



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VILLAGE MEMORIES 



OF 



ffllff ¥ I Alii 



OK. 



GE^ESEO 
BETWEEN 1848 AND 1868. 

AN ADDRESS, 

Delivered in the Central Presbyterian Church, G-eneseo, 
November 8th, 1868, 



BY F. DeW. WARD, D. D., 

PASTOK. 



GENESEO, X. V.: 

J. W. CLEMEXT, BOOK & JOB PRINTER, HERALD OFFICE. 
1869. 






CORRESPONDENCE. 



Geneseo, Nov. 9th, 1868. 

F. DeW. WARD. D. D., 

Rev. and Dear Sir: 

Having listened with great interest and 
satisfaction to your excellent and comprehensive anniversary 
discourse, on the 8th inst, and with a desire that it may be 
preserved in enduring form, we most respectfully request 
that you will furnish us a copy for publication. 

The twenty years of your useful ministry in this village, 
which your address embraces, constitute an important era of 
our national and local history, and the task you have so 
faithfully executed will be a most valuable contribution to 
the historical records of our community. 

Trusting that you may long be preserved among us in the 
important held of usefulness you so ably represent, we re- 
main, dear sir, 

Your friends and neighbors, 

BENJ. F. ANGEL, 
JOHN RORBACli, 
W. E. LAUDERDALE, 
CHAS. K. DOTY, 
W. II. OLMSTED, 
1). II. BISSELL, 
SCOTT LORD, 
ED WD E. SILL, 
S. HUBBARD, 

And others. 

In compliance with the above very polite request, the 

Author semis to the press the following pages. 



• 






GENESEO BETWEEN 1848 & 1808. 



Late in the evening of Saturday, November 4, 1848, I 
reached the hospitable door of the late Win. M. Bond, on 
South street (now the residence of Hon. Solomon Hubbard), 
after a coach ride of ten hours, from the city of Rochester. 
The late Rev. Benj. B. Stockton having just resigned the 
pastorate of the Presbyterian Church, I was invited to occu- 
py the vacant pulpit. My own thought was a single Sab- 
bath service, and then a return to my home, — a purpose em- 
phatically expressed to those members of the Session who 
called upon me the following Monday morning. Having 
but recently returned from a ten years' mission in India, I 
was consciously unprepared to assume a ministerial and pas- 
toral charge in a community like this. It was not without 
urgent solicitation that I remained during the week, calling 
upon families and being introduced to persons who have 
since become very dear to me. "Man proposes, but God 
disposes." But for this truth, the one week would not have 
extended to twenty years, and I should not stand in your 
presence at this hour, to review with von the changes which 
have occurred during this long and eventful period of time. 

Twenty years! One-fifth of a century! Two-thirds of a 
generation ! More than the life-time of far the largest pro- 
portion of the human family! How many events have uni- 
ted to make up the National history of these two hundred 
and forty months. The Mexican war had but just ended, 
and a gigantic civil rebellion has arisen and been suppressed. 



VILLAGE MEMORIES 



Each has given to the executive cbair a President, while six 
who have attained that supreme civic eminence have closed 
their earthly career." The telegraph wire has conjoined the 
new and old continents, and the railroad track stretches 
well-nigh from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. By the 
purchase of the Russian possessions, on the north-west, the 
national domain has been enlarged nearly one-third. 

" Slavery, sad curse, has passed away. 
And is a thing of yesterday." 

These are among the public events that have illustrated 
our country's career since 1848. None more important have 
ever found record upon our public annals. 

The hour belongs, however, to our own village and tow7i, 
which will be considered with reference to the Physical, 
Civil, Commercial, Literary, Religious and Domestic changes, 
which unite in making up this twenty years of history. — 
While some of these topics will be treated with more fulness 
than others, each will receive enough attention to render 
the narrative needfully complete. 

We will begin with a general view of our village. To 
Main, Center, Second, North and South streets have been 
added Elm, Academy and Temple Hill, which are fast fill- 
ing up with neat, commodious dwellings. As an added im- 
provement, a continuous sidewalk of stone or brick or plank 
is met with wherever one goes. And who could desire 
pleasanter or more beautiful homes than those of Hon. B. 
F. Angel and the Episcopal and 2d Presbyterian parson- 
ages, on Main street: Messrs. II. L. Johnson, Jas. S. Orton, 
John F. Bishop, and Hugh McBridc, on Center street; 
Messrs. N. W. Rose, L. F. Olmsted, Win. II. Olmsted, Wm. 
R. Walker, Central Presbyterian parsonage, W. B. West, 
George Mercer, and S. T. Smith, on Second street; with a far 
greater number of reconstructions, additions and improve- 

* Taylor, Polk, Van Buren, Tyler. Lincoln and Buchanan. 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 



merits, amounting almost to newness. 

In the spring of 1850, an association was organized, with a 
membership of thirty-eight leading citizens, each pledging 
himself "to plant within the bounds of the village, and prop- 
erly protect from harm, one forest shade tree in each and 
every year for live years." This pledge, though not fully 
redeemed, has contributed much toward lining our streets 
with maple, etc., to the number of 700, exclusive of those 
in the Park, Court House and Church yards, and private 
lawns. 

In the spring of 1850, a meeting of the village citizens 
was held at the office of Hon. Scott Lord, to take into con- 
sideration enlarging and improving the burying ground 
on Temple Hill. The committee appointed to consider and 
mature a plan were Messrs. Charles Colt, Allen Ay raid t, Jas. 
S. Wadsworth, Calvin II. Bryan, Henry Chamberlain, Edw. 
R, Hammatt, Isaac Newton, Win. Walker and W. J. Ham- 
ilton. The result, after some delay, was the addition of the 
eastern third. At a later period, another association was 
formed to carry onward to still greater completeness what 
was well begun. The executive committee were Messrs. Scott 
Lord, James Cone, Nelson Janes, E. N. Bacon, John Ror- 
bach and George Mercer, who secured the services of Mr. 
Wm. McBride, a person of much skill and experience in the 
department of planning public walks, and tastefully beau- 
tifying the field. Lack of funds has required suspension of 
these improvements, though, we trust, but for a brief time. 

In many dwellings oil and kerosene lamps have yielded 
tneir places to gas, the pipes through which it passes having 
by their imbedded side those of larger size, conveying water 
from the exhaustless springs on the hill to tanks, from which 
it can be taken to extinguish the consuming flames, or to 
residences for culinary and other domestic uses. 

Passing from private residences to public structures, we 
see greater improvements still. Our Court House is pro- 



6 



VILLAGE MEMORIES 



nounced by Judges from abroad as superior in all needful 
respects to any on their circuit. With little of the preten- 
tious in external appearance, it is quite complete within. 

'The two fires with which we were visited, though a tern- 
porary inconvenience to business and a considerable pecun- 
iary loss to individuals, have proved a public gain ; for horn 
the smouldering ashes have arisen, Phoenix-like, other struc- 
tures, far superior in size, safety, eominodiousness and beau- 
ty. We challenge comparison, for all needful purposes, be- 
tween the stores in Commercial Block and any others of 
equal business extent in city or town. 

Our three Hotels, the American, Trernont and Globe, un- 
der the enterprising management of Messrs. H. Howe, J. A. 
Hamilton, and L. Taylor, meet the wants of citizen and 
traveler in commendable degree. 

The Methodist, Central Presbyterian, and Episcopal 
Churches are late erections, characterized by the most mod- 
ern style of architectural appearance and arrangement. The 
eye sees little of the original building in the audience-room 
of the Second Presbyterian Church, so improved in the fall 
of 1854 Twenty years ago secular meetings were held in 
the sanctuaries, especially the Methodist, where was convened 
the earliest and largest public gathering to consider the 
oroject of a railroad from Rochester southward. All such 
necessity is now removed by the two Halls, Concert and 
Rorbach, ample in size and convenient of location. The 
brick structure on the corner of Second and Center streets, 
containing the Wadsworth Library, meets a necessity long 
felt, and is an admirable complement to the ecclesiastical ed- 
ifice opposite, — a model each of modern accepted architect- 
ure, as also the Genesee Valley National Bank, perfect for 
the purposes designed by such a structure. The Poor House, 
though a county building, ought not be passed by in our 
notice of structural improvements, displaying, as it does, the 
judgment and taste of the village committee, Messrs. Ayrault 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 



and Hamilton. It is attractive to the drawing hither of 
many, destitute and aged ones from miles distant. Another 
building, for the insane and idiotic, is just completing. — 
These institutions, having been in the care of Mr. A. How- 
ard for twenty-three years, have passed to the superintend- 
ency of Mr. Geo. W. Barney and sou, of Mt. Morris. 

Statements respecting the civil history of the village will 
be limited to the names of its most prominent officers. Since 
its incorporation in 1832, the Presidents have been Messrs. 
Allen Ayranlt, Philo C. Fuller, three years, 0. W. Olmsted, 
Chas. Colt, four years, C. Metcalf, C. H. Bryan, B. F. Angel, 
A. A. Ilendee, Dr. Bissell, four years, Scott Lord, H. P. North, 
two years, L. Turner, Geo. J. Davis, John Rorbach, E. P. 
Metcalf, two years, Geo. Mercer, W. Whiting, E. Cone, Dr. 
Lauderdale, Sidney Ward, Isaac Newton, John F. Bishop, 
C. F. Doty, and Nelson Janes, the present incumbent. 

The military features of this community demand emphat- 
ic notice. When the Southern Rebellion arose in its sad 
might, political differences were, to a large extent, forgotten 
in the presence of imperative patriotic demand. Assem- 
blages were convoked, stirring appeals were uttered from 
glowing hearts, contributions were abundantly made, taxes 
cheerfully assumed, and the ood, and then the 104th, and 
then the 136th, with regiments from other localities, found 
their earnest and brave-hearted recruits here. The ques- 
tion as to the need be of the war was superseded by the 
fact that the life of the nation was at stake, and must be 
preserved at wnatever cost of wealth or limb or life. Hus- 
bands, sons, brothers went forth, some to find a grave known 
only to the All-seeing Eye, some to suffer their months in 
long and starving prisons, some to be brought home to find 
an honored place in our village cemetery, some to go slowly 
to the grave as the result of malady in camp or wounds on 
the field, some with maimed limbs, leaning upon crutches, 
to them a greater honor than a princely crown, and some to 



8 VILLAGE MEMORIES 

resume the avocations of business and artisan life, with the 
delighted consciousness of having done their duty to their 
country, liberty, and God. 

First to fall was Lieut. Moses Church, on the Peninsula; 
and subsequently, Gen. James S. Wadsworth, his son-in-law, 
Major Montgomery Ritchie, Lieuts. Myron H. Begole and 
John Gummer, Privates Eli P. Smith, Seymour Smith, John 
E. White, John Folmesbv. Lucien J. Smith, Myron A. Bow, 
James Parmenter, James Luce, Augustus Dayton, Jeremiah 
Hendershott, John Burns, Orrin C. Locke, C. J. Stout, Rich- 
ard Youhls, Daniel B. Johnson, Henry W. Neff, John T. 
Anderson, Henry 0. Jones, Wm. A. McCone and James 
Dunn, were killed in engagements or died in rebel pris- 
ons, in hospitals or at home from disease and wounds con- 
tracted while in service. Capt. Augustus A. Ourtiss and 
Henry W. Clark are crippled for life. 

As officers in the Federal army, our village sent : from the 
Wadsworth family, Gen. James S., his sons, Craig W. (now 
Major-General of the N. Y. S. N. G.), Capts. Chas. F. and 
James W., and Major M. Ritchie; Capt. W. B. Yvarford, 
Lieuts. Moses Church, John Gummer and Walter H. Smith, 
of the 33d ; Col. John Rorbach, Major H. Y. Colt, Col. John 
R. Strang, Capt, B. F. Spencer, Lieuts. Fred T. Vance. Al- 
bert T. Lamson, Nathaniel A. Gearhart, Surgeon E. G. 
Chase, M. D., Chaplain F. DeW. Ward, I >. D., of the 104th; 
Gen. James Wood, Col. Henry L. Arnold, Major Campbell 
II. Young, Capts. A. A. Curtiss, Kidder M. Scott, Sidney 
Ward, Lieuts. C. F. Metcalf, A. C. Bacon, Lucien A. Smith, 
John Miller, Wells Eendershott, and Frank Collins, of the 
13(3th ; William S. Ward, Master's Mate on tin" [ndianola 
and Choctaw. To whom may be added the names of Major 
E. E. Sill, Lieut. Geo. Sill, Capt, Dwight Hamilton, Major 
George Hyland, dr., (new Sheriff of the County), Lieut. 
Chas. Groheen, now residing among us. These and many in 
tin' ranks on the fields of Manassas, Fredericksburgh, Antie- 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 



tarn, Spottsylvania. Chancellorsville, Ger.tysburgh (where 
Lieut Gearhart was severely wounded), Lookout Mountain, 
Chattanooga, Resaea, Cassville, Peach Tree Creek (where 
Capt. Curtiss met with his casualty), Atlanta, New Hope 
Church (where Major Sill was wounded and captured, 
and escaping from a rebel prison in Georgia, with Lieut. 
Lamson of the 104th, reached the Northern lines after 
a fatiguing and perilous walk of seventy days), Bcnton- 
ville (where Col. Arnold was badly wounded), Grand 
Gulf (where W. S. Ward was taken at the sinking of 
the Indianola, and imprisoned for four months in Mis- 
sissippi and "Libby"), the Wilderness (where the gallant 
General Wadsworth received his death bullet), and the sur- 
roundings of Richmond, did good service for their country's 
honor, from the opening campaign to the surrender of Lee 
at Appomattox Court House, Va. In all possible ways the 
citizens manifested during the war a sympathy with their 
absent friends and neighbors, rendering them whatever would 
conduce to their comfort in distant and hostile regions. 

If, for the War of 1812, this village and vicinity furnished 
a Major-Gen. Wm. Wadsworth, who commanded the entire 
army in this part of the State, and Major W. H. Spencer, than 
whom Mars never knew a more fearless disciple, and D. H. 
Bissell, M. P., serving the entire three years under the late 
Major-Gen. Scott, and now a resident of our community, — 
so, for the needed regiments in 1861—4, we gave our best of 
heart and home, and are ready to repeat the gift should foes, 
foreign or internal, again rise to dishonor our flag, dismem- 
ber oui- Republic, or tarnish our glory in the eyes of theciv- 
ilized or Christian world. May God in mercy prevent any 
such exigency in our long future career as a model nation. 

Referring to the files of our village paper in 18-18, we see 
the. con/ n/> fie/ changes which have occurred during the 
years since. We no more read the signs of E. P. & C. 
Metcalf, L. Turner & Co., E. II. Perkins, Moses Hunt, 



10 VILLAGE MEMORIES 

Samuel Gardner, C. R. Vance, J. B. Hall, C. Colt, II. P. 
North, W. Bond, M. & F. Buell, Cone & Warner, II. F. 
Hill, Z.'H. Mauley, Clement & Hud nut, J. D. Crank, Beach 
& West, William Walker, I. Newton, Walker & Lauder- 
dale, Young & Chamberlain, C. II. Bryan, O. Willey, Felix 
Tracy, B. F. Angel, Wm. J. Hamilton, H. H. Guiteau, Jos. 
Kershner, Jas. H. Vail, R. Austin, Jasper Johnson, Hiram 
F. Birge, M. Reed, R. Noyes, W. Huggins and W. Smith. 
Many are deceased and others removed to distant places 
or retired from business to private life. But the numbers 
have kept good, and attractiveness of stores greatly im- 
proved. 

In 1848 the financial facilities of the village and region 
were limited to the "Livingston County Bank," with lion. 
Allen Ayrault as President ; E. Cone, Cashier, and Charles 
Colt, Jr., as Teller. In the year 1851, another institution 
was incorporated under the name of the ''Genesee Valley 
Bank," with Hon. Jas. S. Wadsworth as President, Wm. II. 
Whiting as Cashier, and Daniel n. Fitzh ugh as Teller — 
now the "Genesee Valley National Bank," with Messrs. I). 
H. Fitzhugh as President, Jas. S. Orton, Cashier, and Thco. 
F. Olmstead. Teller. Upon the death of Mr. Ayrault, in 
1861, the former institution was discontinued, but its place 
taken by the "Banking House of E. Cone," and upon his 
('oath was continued by his son, Jas. J. Cone, and son-in-law, 
Wm. II. Olmstead. Added to these is the banking house 
of William Walker. The one institution of 1848 has been 
thus expanded to three, and is a marked illustration of com- 
mercial prosperity. This phase is heightened by the fact that 
within the same period., one hank has gone into operation at 
Mt. Morris, two at Avon, two at Lima, and one at Dansville. 

Our village has represented the nation in Hon. Benj. F. 
Angel, Minister to the Sandwich Islands and Sweden ; the 
Congressional district in Hon. Wm. H. Kclsey, now on his 
fourth term <>(' service : the Senatorial district in the late 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 11 

Hon. Allen Ayrault and Charles Colt; the County in Hon. 

A. A. Hendee, Assemblyman ; the Judicial district in Hon. 
Scott Lord and Hon. Solomon Hubbard, County Judges, 
each two terms, with Hon. Hezekiah Allen, Session Justice ; 
the County Clerkship in Messrs. Win. H. Whiting, Jas. S. 
Orton and Aug. A. Curtis, and the Shrievalty in the late 
William Scott. 

In no place of its size has more attention been given to 
intellectual improvement and gratification than in this. The 
founder of the village, Hon. James Wadsworth, a graduate 
of a distinguished college of New England, brought to this 
then wilderness an impulse for popular education, one of the 
first fruits of which was the founding, in connection with 
gentlemen all deceased but Messrs. H. P. North and D. H. Fitz- 
hugh, of the "Greneseo High School, - ' now styled "Geneseo 
Academy." This institution, incorporated in the year 1826. 
has a history of which our village and town may well be 
proud. Its Principals, headed by the late deceased Presi- 
dent Felton, of Harvard University, have been gentlemen 
of fine scholastic attainments, and subsequently distinguished 
in the University Hall like President Felton, the pulpit like 

. Sweet3erand Rev. D. D. McColl, at the bar like Hon. S. 

B. Treat, of St. Louis, and others, onward to the present ac- 
complished incumbent, Rev. J. Jones, A. M. Its graduates 
are numbered by thousands, and lose nothing by comparison 
with those of any seminary of its rank in the land. These 
are to be met in every State of the. Union and in countries 
far beyond the sea; never forgetting their academic Alma 
Mater, nor she them. 

The catalogue of the Institution lor the present year will 
contain, in both departments, 200 pupils, representing every 
town in the county, and seven States of the Republic. 
Here may be found educational advantages of the highest 
■ order and broadest extent, upon terms liberal as any of its 
grade throughout the region. 



12 VILLAGE MEMORIES 



The district school, now by popular vote an "Union Free 
School," occupies a commanding position under the direc- 
tion of Principal Gorham and his faithful associates. 

A charter for the "Wadsworth Normal Training School" 
has been secured, and measures are taking to erect the neces- 
sary dwellings and commence a course of scholastic instruc- 
tion. As means of educating persons of all ages, and for 
business or professional life, what more can be needed than 
three such institutions do or will furnish ? The Academy 
enriches us pecuniarily by at least $8,000 a year, through 
its students from abroad, and more may be expected from it 
and from the Training School in time to come. 

What a contrast between the few books in a small build- 
ing constituting the Athenaeum in 1848, and the "Wads- 
worth Library," in external appearance a central ornament, 
and with internal arrangements of most perfect character and 
convenience. Mrs. C. Olmstead, Librarian, estimates the ap- 
plicants at an average of twenty a day. And then the 
"Beading Room," for the munificent endowment and large 
sustentation of which the community owe a debt of grati- 
tude to a liberal-hearted lady, Mrs. Wm. Wadsworth, which 
cannot be too highly appreciated. And where is the place 
of its size which has been favored with lectures and ad- 
dresses from gentlemen of more note and ability than ours 
during the years under review? The Annual "Commence- 
ments" of the Academy, the "Lyceum Association," and the 
"Young Men's Association," have drawn to our midst such 
distinguished clergy and laymen as Bishops Hopkins of Ver- 
mont, and Lee of Iowa, Presidents Nott and Hickok, with 
Prof. Foster of "Union College," Anderson of "Rochester 
University," Reid of "Genesee," and McLean, of Lafayette, 
and Horace Mann of Antioch Colleges, Prof. Torrey of 
New York, with Doctors Lord and Chester of Buffalo, Mc- 
Ilvaine, Pease, Cuit, Hickok, and Van Ingen, of Rochester, 
Daggett of Canandaigua, Condit of Oswego, Van Renssalaer 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 



13 



of Philadelphia, McLaren of Caledonia, Senator Benton of 
St. Louis, Hon. Horace Greeley of New York, Col. W. H. 
C. Ilosmer of Avon, Hon. Geo. Summer of Mass., Hon. S. 
S. Cox of Ohio, Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith, and 
John B. Gougli, the eloquent advocate of Temperance, Gov- 
ernor Pinney of Liberia, Rev. Messrs. Aitken of Sparta and 
Nassaw of Warsaw, with many others of high repute for 
learning, eloquence and position in public life. Almost all 
these enter into our public history since 1848, placing us in 
literary respects quite in the forerank of communities 
throughout the region. 

Nor can we forget that ours has been a musical centre. 
Messrs. Root, Bradbury, Bassini, Peouski, Cook, North, 
Zundel, Perkins, Whaples, Daniels and Tracy; what names 
are higher than these in the culture of the human voice for 
sanctuary service and social song? At one time 200 persons 
were here from all parts of the county and country. It 
were no exaggeration to aggregate the attendants upon the 
Summer Normals from abroad during the last twenty 
years at 1,000. The truth of a complete history and fidelity 
to the welcome claims of duty, demand express mention of 
our townsman, Mr. W. W. Killip, to whom this commu- 
nity and region are largely indebted for the position secured 
in the musical world. His crowded concerts are the expres- 
sions of a public sentiment not more universal than just and 
fitting. 

In the year 1834, a weekly newspaper began to be pub- 
lished under the title of the Livingston Register. Its first 
editor was James Percival, succeeded in 1837 by Mr. S. P. 
Allen, (now of Rochester), who changed the title to the 
Livingston Republican. At the period to which our retro- 
spect dates back, Mr. James T. Norton was its editor, and 
continued so to his death in 1865, when his son, A. Tiffany 
Norton, became its conductor and continues still. Another 
sheet is published by Mr. Jas. W. Clement, under the title 



14 VILLAGE MEMORIES 

of the Genesee Valley Herald. Both are in the hands of 
gentlemen who will use all efforts to make them subserve 
the interests of patriotism, learning and scriptural religion. 

Immorality and irreligion, alas be it said, find victims in 
every community of earth. However admirable in all that 
meets the eye any spot may be, yet as a sinful disposition is 
the inheritance of each human being, so the effects of inborn 
depravity appear in habits that are at variance with man's 
duty to himself, his neighbor and his God. If in surveying 
the broad service of our world we are allowed to exclaim 
with joyful gratitude, 

"Some flowrets of Eden we still inherit," 

We are compelled mournfully to add, 

"But the trail of the serpent is over them all." 

If there was ever a place, the inhabitants of which were 
under special obligations to be perfect in all that is "of good 
report," it is ours. Proverbial beauty of location and variet}^ 
of mountain and vallev and meadow and woodland scenery 
are as a voice sajdng, "be thankful, be true to your own 
immortal natures, be regardful of your divinely implanted 
image and heaven aspiring destiny, be moral in your rela- 
tions one with another, and be pious toward God." Truth 
compels us to admit that we are sadly deficient in all these 
respects. Inebriacy, gaming, and grosser vices find their 
tempters and their victims here. But are we sinners above 
all in these features, and do these evils go on unrebukcd? 
Not so! Take the vice of Intemperance. We cannot deny 
its existence. We have seen it, alas, in our streets and at 
our homes ; we know it to be in our neighbors' dwellings. 
But efforts have been and are still making to suppress the 
too general sale, and discountenance the habitual use of the 
fatal glass. At the Spring meeting of the Board of Excise 
in 1850, your speaker had the honor of presenting to that 
body a petition signed by 450 ladies of the village and 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 



15 



town, the first names being those of Mrs. James and Miss 
Elizabeth Waclsworthj and Mrs. Ayrault, entreating that all 
licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors except for 
medicinal purposes be withheld. The appeal came from 
those, some of whom nad felt the iron enter their own soul 
as they saw the dearest ones of their heart and home go 
down to a drunkard's grave. But by a majority vote the 
prayer of the petitioners was denied, for the reasons that 
public opinion was not prepared for such a measure, and 
legislation would not cure the evil. JSTot long after, an asso- 
ciation was formed to consolidate public sentiment against 
• the vice, but was destroyed by contact with politics. Time 
passed on, and the young men formed a Temperance Asso- 
ciation, at whose meetings were essays and addressess of high 
merit. Your speaker well remembers those of Dr. E. Gr. 
Chase, Jas. B. Adams, H. L. Johnson, Sidney Ward, Du- 
mont Dake and others, prepared witli great care and effected 
good results. We find still another organization, under the 
Presidency of the late E. Cone, Esq.; and lately the "Good 
Templars" have formed a lodge with a membership of 1-40 
of both sexes. While these unions have not totally sup- 
pressed the vice, (nor was such the expectation of those who 
inaugurated or sustained them,) they have kept the subject 
before the public mind, and have been a standing rebuke 
and check, which have had a salutary effect. They who 
have to do with this demoralizing and fatal article, (except 
as a medicine,) do so with the public protest sounding in their 
ears, and the beseeching cry of suffering humanity bidding 
them to desist. 

It is not denied that the gaming table has its devotees. 
They are few in numbers. We would there were none, and 
we would, also, that these were not sanctioned and en- 
couraged by persons from abroad. With but few, very few 
exceptions, our citizens are not chargeable with the crimes 
of intoxication, gambling and grosser appetites and tastes. 



16 VILLAGE MEMORIES 



There is, however, room for improvement, calling for 
earnest and persistant attention. It is well for judicial and 
police officers to see that the laws are faithfully executed, 
the penalty of transgression fearlessly and relentlessly vis- 
ited upon the offender. In this respect there is much to ap- 
prove and commend in our legal officials, but it is still more 
important that the temptation to crime should to the least 
possible extent exist. An ill deed prevented is far better 
than an ill deed punished. We have high authority for say- 
ing that if offences must come, woe to them by whom the 
offence cometh. 

From morality we pass by a natural transition to religion. 
If that subject is important which concerns human relations 
and involves human happiness, how much more import- 
ant is that which respects God and the soul and immortal 
retribution. A locality without a church edifice, and with- 
out the Gospel preacher, is one in which no right hearted 
person would desire to make his permanent abode, and 
especially would not be willing to rear a family. Can it be 
doubted that the recognition of the Christian faith, the rev- 
erence of the Most High God on His day and in His house, 
the large, general and continued respect paid to His revealed 
claims, have had much to do with our prosperity and favor- 
able repute. "Him that honoreth me will I honor," saith 
the Lord. 

Waiving all detailed reference to the early history of our 
churches, let us rapidly consider them as they were in 1848 
in contrast with what they arc at the present hour. 

Twenty years ago the Presbyterians were one parish, their 
house of worship of limited dimensions, and New England 
style of pulpit and pew, — interesting from its associations 
with the successful labors of its pastors, Drs. Buell, Lord, 
and others, whose names are held in grateful recollection. 
In the year 185-1, the edifice was enlarged one-third, an or- 
gan took the place of the bass viol, and a large Session house 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 17 

on Second street supplanted the small structure on Center 
street, [n the year 1857, the membership having doubled 
in number, a colony left the parent hive and organized the 
Central Presbyterian Church, erecting at once an edifice on 
the comer of Center and Second streets, which is unequalled 
for beauty and convenience in the region. After a ministry 
of ten years, during which the membership was increased by 
250 additions, 1 resigned, and my place was taken by Eev. 
Geo. P. Folsom, who, after a pastorate of the same length of 
time, has removed to Illinois, leaving one of the most im- 
portant pulpits of the comity again vacant. The Central 
Church has a membership upon its records of 200, which, 
with the L60 in the Second Church, aggregate 360, against 
less than half that number in 181s, and at least 200 de- 
ceased or removed to other places. Of nine persons who 
constituted the Session in 1818, five are deceased, viz: — 
Messrs. (). Skinner, Felix Tracy, Charles Colt, Russell Aus- 
tin and Ephraim Cone; one is removed, Mr. Chauncey Par- 
sons; three are still in office, Messrs. J. B. Hall, Fred W. 
Butler and Cornelius Shepard. Mr. Hall is the oldest Church 
communicant in the village. The Session of the Second 
Presbyterian Church at this time are Messrs. J. 15. Hall, Fred 
W. Butler, Win. Walker, Jas. S. Orton, E. W. Hudnutt, E. 
N. Bacon and \V. A. Brodie; Deacon, J. Davison; Trus- 
tees, Messrs. Fred W. Butler, Jaa S. Orion, Win. Walker, 

C. F. Doty, C; 0. Be;, eh and E. N. Bacon. The Session of 

the Central Presbyterian Church are .Messrs. C. Shepard, 
Geo. Fridd, Scott Lord, A. W. Butterway, W. E. Lauder- 
dale and Samuel Finley; Deacons, Richard Cham}) and 
Francis C. Sage ; Trustees, W. E. Lauderdale, M. D., Samuel 
Finley, John Crossett, N. W. Rose, Luther Heath, Peter 
Miller, Richard Champ and W. R. Walker. 

instead of the $700 which was my first salary, the united 
salaries are now $2,000, (with a parsonage for the Second 
Church,) pastors' gifts not less than $400, and donations to 



18 VFLLAGE MEMORIES 

various benevolent causes of $700, footing up at present 
above $3,000. Add to these annual expenditures, sums 
which have been appropriated to erecting or remodelling the 
two buildings and Session room, with a parsonage, and sus- 
tentation of Geneseo Academy, $75,000 would not be too 
large an amount as that which the Presbyterians of this vil- 
lage have donated in twenty years. 

In 18-18, the Methodist Church was the brick building now 
occupied by the Union School, — repulsive within even more 
than it was unattractive without. The minister resided at 
Groveland, and came here as to a secondary charge. But 
what a change since! The pastors have been Rev. R. Hogo- 
boom, during whose adminstration the present neat and com- 
modious strcture was commenced, and completed under that 
of his successor. Rev. J. Watts, during whose; residence 
here the church enjoyed a special revival, which added 
fifty to the membership. He was followed by Revs. 
I. H. Kellogg, T. B. Hudson, W. C. Mattison, C. L. Brown, 
K. P. Jervis ((bur years), and the present incumbent, Hew 
W.Bradley. Instead of 60 communicants, there are now 
1.60. The pastor receives a salary of $820, which, with rent 
and donations, aggregate $1,165, besides $250 for benevolent 
and like objects. The officers at this time are, as Class 
Leaders, Messrs. Charles Ilawle\ and Thomas Hanby; as 
Stewards, Messrs. E. F. Curtiss, S. Hubbard, J. C. Mather, 
A. L. Marsh, (i. Morris, Thomas Hanby, B. L. White. A.W. 
Bogmire and O. S. Howard. What with pastor's salary, an- 
nual donations, centenial gilts, parsonage, church building, 
and tin' like, the aggregate during twenty years, cannot be 
less than $30,000. 

St. MichaeVs (Episcopal) edifice was then like the other 
ecclesiastical structures, antiquated in style, and the congre- 
gation very limited in numbers and activity. Three years 
ago that building gave way to an edifice in better keeping 
with the wealth of the parish, more worthy of the service 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 19 

there held, and more commodious to the enlarged attend- 
ance. If the late Bishop Hobart could speak of the former, 
as it was in 1829, in terms of high commendation, with 
greater propriety could Bishop Coxe illustriously characterize 
trie present edifice, which he consecrated in 1867. The Rec- 
tor in 1848 was Rev. Win. Bakewell, whose sepulchre, and 
that of his wife, is with us. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Thomas Mallaby, Rev. John \V. Burchmore, Rev. R, 0. 
Paige, and the present incumbent, Rev. Geo. S. Teller. The 
communicants in 18-18 were 40; at this time, 130. The 
Rector has a commodious parsonage, a beautiful glebe, and 
a salary of $1,000. The present Wardens arc J. F. Bishop 
and J. C. Prout; the Vestrymen are Messrs. G. Nowlen, Jas. 
Wood, Geo. Mercer, Chas. Jones, J. II. Jones, II. V. Colt, 
Craig W. Wadsworth and C. M. Vance. 

St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) church edifice was erected in 
1856, on North street: unassuming in external appearance, 
but convenient for the devoted members of that religious 
creed. Its present pastor is father McGowen, who resides in 
Mt Morris. Our Catholic fellow-citizens have a cemetery, 
neatly enclosed, and consecrated to the burial of those of 
their own faith. 

With but few exceptions, every family in village and town 
is connected with one of these organizations, having a sitting 
in the sanctuary, sending children to the Sabbath Schools, 
countenancing by persona] attendance, contributing to the 
support of the minister, and other needful expenses. The 
opportunities forreligious instruction are ample to meet the 
wants of each family and person. 

The various and plausible forms of religious heresy and 
ultraism have found no favor in our community. Our citi- 
zens have been quite contented to accept the long tested 
beliefs taught, in the Bible and embodied in ancient venera- 
ble symbols, however antiquated and fossalized these may 
seem to some, and however behind this original and fast age, 



20 VILLAGE MEMORIES 

rather than part with them for what wears the aspect of new- 
ness and originality", though not sure of being true and safe 
guides of doctrine and duty. An intellect like that of Dr. 
Bull acts for years after its possessor has passed away. Re- 
peated revivals have brought their scores and hundreds 
into the church within a few months and thus helped 
much to enlarge the membership and more than till places 
made vacant by death or removal. Ten, twenty, fifty and 
on several occasions an hundred have received their first 
communion on the same day. The result lias been as we 
have seen, that growth has characterized, each organization 
in a degree delightful to behold, and that, too, when the 
population of the village and town has advanced but little 
if at all. The intelligent public sentiment is on the side of 
morality and religion to an extent far exceeding that of com- 
munities equal in size and mixture of population. Any 
measure obviously immoral and irreligious would be speedi- 
ly and successfully rebuked among us. This is not to say 
that we are morally and religiously perfect. Far from it! 
There arc places and styles of amusement, there are articles 
of traffic offered for sale and temptations to vice presented 
to the youth and pliable of will, there are neglects of the 
sanctuary and Sabbath, with the profaning of the Divine 
name and despite of the Divine word, very painful to wit- 
ness. But with all these abatements we have nu hesitation 
in saving that a healthful, strung, and pervading religions 
sentiment is now and.has long been in the ascendant, here, at- 
tributable very largely to early instruction of great fidelity 
and power, with prayers remembered in our behalf, though 
the petitioners have long since departed above. 

Domestic changes claim our next and last attention. 
Whole families have disappeared, leaving no representa- 
tive behind. Of these we recall the households of Messrs. 
Willev. Hamilton, Tracy, Noyes, Chamberlin, Parsons, 
Turner, Sr. and Jr., M. Buell, K. Buell, Newton, Gardiner, 



OF TWENTY YEARS. 21 

Crank, Dake, M. D. Hill, Gushing, Scott, Tomlinson, Khn- 
bark, Yoorhes, Huggins, Davis, Meacbam, Iinray, Whaples, 
Havens, Wing, Root, Farnam, C. Church, Coverdale, God- 
dard, J. Bacon, Simpson, J. Ward, McGranor, Rathbone, 

Alexander, E. Boot, and Covert, with at least twelve min- 
isterial families. Of many of these we can truly say — 

"Though lost to sight, to memory dear." 

The mortuary list is long, and contains the names of per- 
sons, some of whom have been identified with the village 
and town for a period almost corval with their commence- 
ment The preparation of this catalogue has cost me much 
time and labor — my fear being that in the record of so many 
names there may be occasional omissions or inaccuracies. 
In respect to this, as in regard to other parts of this address, 
I throw myself on your clemency. I shall first name the 
cast's in which death has removed both husband and wile, 
passing then to individuals: 

Charles and Mrs. Ann Colt, 1S66, 1853. 

Charles, dr., Mrs. Emily and Julia Colt. 1860, 1857, 1862. 

Russell and Mrs. Phebe Austin, 1866, 1865. 

Samuel and Mrs. Jane Gardiner. 1858, 1861. 

James T. and Mrs. Eveline Norton, 1865, 1852. 

Oliver and Mrs. Mary Skinner, 1859, 1851. 

Cornelius, Sr., and Mrs. Sarah S. Shepard, 1859, 1860. 

Matthew, Sr., and Mrs. Nabby Turner, 1867, 1858. 

Rev. William J. and Mrs. Bakewell, 1861. 

Lyman, Jr., and Mrs. Martha Turner, 1861, 1858. 
William and Mrs. MaryB. II. Doty, 1861, 1866. 

Moses and Mrs. Hetty Hunt, 1858, 1859. 

David and Mrs. Catherine McMurrav, 1857, 1855. 
Alverius and Mrs. Lydia Willard, 1862, 1856. 

Robertand Mrs. Catherine Iinray, 1856, 1861. 
Isaac and Mrs. Mary P. Hall, 1850. 

Albert and Mrs. Darling, 1853. 

Stephen and Mrs. Sarah Heath, 1867, 1859. 



22 



VILLAGE MEMORIES 



James and Mrs. Margaret Wood, 1867, 1858. 
John and Mrs. Sarah Van Grorder, 1851, 1851. 
Rev. Frederick and Mrs. Abba M. Lewin, 1867, 1866. 
William M. and Mrs. Mary Bond, 1861, 1850. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sarah Hueston, 1864, 1867. 
Samuel and Mrs. B. Nimms, 1866. 
Silas and Mrs. Laura B. Smith, 1867, 1851. 
Jasper and Mrs. Mary J. Johnson, 18 — , 1853. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, 1868. 
Wm. H. and Mrs. Laura E. Spencer, 1851, 1864. 
Anson and Mrs. Sarah Whaples, 1852, 1861. 
Jabez and Mrs. Mary Ranney, 1857, 1858. 
Rev. John B. and Mrs. Jemima Hudson, 1857, 1857. 
Roger and Mrs. Sarah Metcalf, 1857, 1852. 
Charles and Mrs. Sarah McGanor, 
John and Mrs. Graham, 1867, 1853. 
James and Mrs. Lydia McCone, 1865, 1850. 
Silas and Mrs. Electa Whitney, 1853, 1857. 
B. J. and Fanny Johnson, 1858, 1859. 
We pass then to record the names of persons who were in 
ad nit years : 



John McBride 1 810 

Ogden Willey 1849 

Elias Clark . .' 1849 

Robert Gill 1851 

Levi Jordan 1849 

Hurry Clement 1849 

David Shepard 1850 

Silas Whitney 1850 

John Van Volkemberg 1850 

Mr. Lamphier 1850 

James Heed 1853 

Mr. Gregg 1850 

Christopher Dunn 1851 

Park Allen 1850 

Charles Could 1851 

John Bennett 1850 

Ex. -Gov. John Young 1852 

William W. Wadsworth 1852 

T. ,v M. Hacket 1850 

AnIiIm-1 Atkins 1852 

Silas M. Dowzer 1852 

Geo. Mercer 1 852 

Campbell Harris 1853 



Chauncey Shepard 1854 

Robert McBride 1 854 

Hew Abraham Foreman 1854 

Peter Weller 1854 

Thomas Boyd 1854 

Abiram Howe 1854 

Amos Kellogg 1 854 

Samuel Hambo 1 856 

Rev. Leverett Richmond 1 8 ."» G 

William Huggins 1856 

Geo. Henry Xeir 1856 

Alexander Robinson 1857 

Eezekiah Baunev 1857 

Edward R.JVun.' 1857 

R. Tomlinson 1857 

Chauncey R. Bond 1857 

Davis Darling 1858 

William Bridgeland 1858 

David Griswold 1857 

Joseph Alvord 1857 

David Kimbark 1859 

Edmund Bridges 1859 

Thomas Coverdale 1859 





OF 


TWENTY YEARS. 


23 




...1860 


Mrs. Hannah Baker 


....1854 


James T. Wild 


...1860 




...1854 




...1860 


Mrs. Ann Griswold 


.. .1851 


A. Stillwell 


...18— 


Mrs. Temperance Whiting. . 


...1855 




...1861 


Mrs. Sally Haskell 


...1855 


Samuel Begole 


. .1861 


Mrs. Lucy Finlev 

Mrs. Margaret Patterson... 


1856 


Felix Tracy 


..1861 


...1857 


Hon. C. H. Bryan 


...1863 


Mrs. H. Ranney 

Mrs. Eliza Jane Beckwith. . . 


1851 


E. H. Perkins 


. ..1862 


...1857 




..1862 


Mrs. Hannah C. Baker 


...1858 


J. Oakley Doty 


..1862 






Z. H. Manley 


..1862 


Mrs. Cotterell 


1858 




..1862 


Mrs. Earriel Birge 


...1861 


Simeon Sage 


...1862 


Mrs. Sarah McBride 


...1862 




. .1862 




1862 


William Scott 


. ..1863 




1862 




...1864 


Mrs. Ann Eliza Sage 


...1862 




...1863 




...1864 




...1863 


Mrs. Ellen Barregan 


....1864 


Ephraim Willard 


...1864 


.Mrs. Ruth Hubbard 

Mrs. Rhoda Griswold 


1864 

...1864 


Brig-. G-en. Jas. S. Wadsworth 


. .1864 




. .1864 


Mrs. Fanny Kelly 


....1864 




...1865 


Mrs. Mary E. Carraghan. . . . 


...1864 




..1865 




....1865 




..1864 


Mrs. Lucy B. Champ 


....1865 




...1862 


Mrs. Mary G. Young 


.. ..1865 






Mrs. Charlotte Stafford 
Mrs. Mary A. Meacham. . . . 


, .1865 
...1859 




. ..1866 




..1866 




...1866 




. .1866 




...1866 






Mrs. Sarah Wilson 


1866 
...1866 




....1863 


John Kelly 


...1866 


Mrs. Desire Churchill 


...1868 


Peter Weller 


....1866 




...1867 




. . 1 866 




...1867 




. .1867 




...1867 




..1867 




...186S 




..1868 


Mrs. Eliza Cully 


...1868 




..1868 




.. .1868 




1868 




. .1868 




1868 




..1849 


Rev. Chas. 0. Hill 


...1862 


Mr-. Nancy Warford 


.. L849 




. .1850 




...1850 




...1850 


Mrs. Charlotte Scliermerhorn. 


...1851 


Peter Weller 


...1851 


! Mrs. Antoinette Hamilton. . . 


..1854 


Alexander Robinson 


.1854 








...1854 




..1852 


Lucius P. McCone 


...1854 




...1852 




...1854 




..1853 




...1854 




is;,:: 




1854 
..1861 




..1853 


Mrs. Amanda Chamber lin. . . . 


..1853 


Thos. Boyd 






1854 
...1858 




..1856 


Mrs. Hulda A . Greene 


..1855 


Henry D. Ward 


..1858 








...1866 




1854 




1862 


i 



24- 



VILLAGE MEMORIES 



Jewett Calkins 1864 

Win. A. McCone 1862 

Horace F- Shepard 1864 

Samuel II. Lauderdale 1864 

Erastus Hubbard 1865 

Robert F. Patterson I860 

Solomon Park.-; 1859 

Ogden Decker 1866 

Frank A. North 1866 

Charles A. French 1847 

Mortimer Craig 1867 

Lucien A. Berry 1861 

Loring W. Olmstead 1867 

George Burlev 1867 

Malcolm McLeod 1868 

James Calkins 1868 

Joseph West 1868 

Henrietta (i ill 1849 

Helen Shepard 1849 



Miss Smith 1851 

Ann McCoy 1854 

Mary McBrkle 1857 

Mary Thompson 1856 

Elizabeth Bridges 1858 

Mary Bryan 1 860 

Agnes Robinson 1861 

Martha Beekwith 1861 

Sarah Jane Parsons 1859 

Virginia Chamberliu 1S53 

Martha Voorhes 1853 

Mary Walker 1 36 1 

Anna White 1865 

Lydia S. Griswold 1863 

Emily Griswold 1863 

Caroline Squire 1866 

Sarah Smith 1866 

Kitty Bosley 1861 

Augusta Pierson 1867 

Mary M. Sheldon 1867 



This catalogue does not contain the names of the chil- 
dren and infants who passed from the cradle and nursery to 
the tomb. These are omitted, not because unworthy of 
special mention. Ah, no! Myself a parent, and one who 
has followed to the grave fond ones of the home groupe, I 
have no sympathy with the remark, "It is only an infant." 
In the case of some of your households, it was an only child 
— a removal of the onl\ r flower in the garden — hushing the 
voice of the only songbird. I am reluctantly compelled, 
through lack of time, to do more than mention that in our 
village many parents have heard the voice, "Suffer the little 
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such 
is the kingdom of Mod." 

The average number of annual adult deaths has been 12 
which with about 3 children, gives 15 in a population of 
2,000. Those of the male sex arc about one-half more than 
the female. While this difference, (not peculiar to our own 
village,) is attributable in part to careless, and, in some cases, 
vicious habits of life, the more general cause is long expo- 
sures to vicissitudes of weather and the harrassing anxieties 
of business complications. The years of what is termed 
the weaker sex are as a general rule in this land, extended 



f 



OF TWENTY YEARS. ZO 

far beyond those of their masculine companions. Hence 
the widows weeds are seen so abundantly in any large as- 
seinblage of persons. 

My task is done. An undertaking that has cost me many 
laborious hours is accomplished with defects it is feared, but 
with an honest desire and studied effort at accuracy of event 
and name and date. It is complete so far as consistent with 
the propriety of the occasion and the limit of your patience. 
The effort will meet with your appreciation and the faults 
with your forgiveness. 

I will detain you no longer than to thank you for the 
many kindnesses of which my family and I have been the 
recipients during these twenty years. Looking through- 
out this county, I find myself the oldest installed pastor in 
active service but one— Rev. Thomas Aitken, of Sparta. 
Through the partiality and forbearance of tried friends,! am 
still among you, and am your "servant for Jesus sake." I 
have stood at the dying bed, and followed to their final 
home and performed the last religious duty to a large pro- 
portion of those whose names have been given above. 
There are few dwellings of any religious society where I 
have not performed some official act. 

This cannot long continue. Great changes will occur ere 
another occasion like the present return. Many among us 
will be in our graves. The adults will be aged and toil- 
worn with life's cares. The now children will occupy the 
stage of earnest action. As citizens of this first of nations 
let us be loyal in feeling and deed ; as residents in this Eden 
valley, let us be fraternal in the habit of our daily life, and 
strive to make the place of our abode attractive by the re- 
finements of a cultivated taste and high moral tone and in- 
fluence; — and as the creatures of God, the ransomed by the 
atonement of His Son, and the heirs of immortality let us 
act worthy of our parentage, our duty, and our destiny. 



\ 

26 VILLAGE MEMORIES 

Such should be the aim of our life, as it is the purpose of 
our creation and redemption. 

••Rejoice with trembling, mourn with hope. 
Take life as life was given. 

Its rough ascent, its flowery slope. 
May lead alike to heaven " 



„«2 ARY of ingress 

■IIIifWB 



